Carlow County - Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP ^TM)

Carlow Football

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Gaelic Games [Cumann Luthchleas Gael]

First meeting of GAA in Carlow

The Gaelic Athletic Association, more commonly known as the G.A.A., was active in County Carlow from about 1886 onwards. It appears however, that there were only a limited number of clubs in existence during those early yeas. It was not until 1888 that they became more numerous. The first meeting of the association in Co. Carlow was held in the Young Men's Catholic Society Rooms, Carlow on April 2nd, 1888. Nine clubs were represented at the meeting Aghade, Ballon, Borris, Carlow, Clonegal, Clonmore, Hacketstown, Rathvilly and Ticknock. Michael P. Maher was elected to chair the meeting and he was proposed by F. Stenson and seconded by P. McCall.

The chairman addressed the delegates following this, the business of appointing officers and committee was dealt with. Officers were appointed for a six month period until October, 1888. They were

President - John Kehoe proposed by M.P. Maher, seconded by P. McCall

Secretary - F. Stenson, proposed by W. Bergin, seconded by T. Donohoe

Treasurer - E.J. Doyle, proposed by W. Bergin seconded by J. Murphy

The Committee included: Messrs. Ryan, McCall, J. Murphy, Paul Maher, T.B. Donohoe, P. Lynch, Owen Doyle, P. Kelly. It was decided not to hold the County Championship until the next season.

A Committee meeting was held at the racquet court, Carlow on May 15th at which J.Conlan presided. T Keegan was appointed Assistant Secretary on the resignation of J. Ryan.

Source: http://www.askaboutireland.ie/

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A group of boys playing soccer on 'Doyle's Field,' Carlow College, c.1960s

Source: Flicker

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Soccer

Carlow Rovers the story of an early team

Soccer was first played in Carlow on the Fair Green in 1905. Henry Bruen was an early patron of this sport when it was played at the Cricket Club grounds at Oak Park. By the mid 1920-s soccer had widened its appeal and was played locally as "association football". A team called Carlow Rovers was formed in the town. The club meetings were held at the racquet court and later at the C.Y.M.S. (Catholic Young Mens' Society). The first game was played at Monacurragh adjacent to the town. Carlow Rovers later played in a midland league against other teams from neighbouring counties such as Athy and Newbridge.

The Sugar factory opened in 1926 and the factory provided a pitch in the vicinity, at Strawhall. Other local venues were the rugby Club grounds and a field adjacent to the former Workhouse building. In the late 1920's and into the 1930's soccer was played in Rathnapish. The grounds there were popularly known as Villa Park. Carlow Rovers were successful around that time and won the league in 1934. Prominent players of the day were Paddy Hayden, J. Quigley, P. Shaw and Mark and Joe Piggott.

It appears that Carlow Rovers ceased all sporting activity during the period of the Second World War or The Emergency, as it was known in Ireland. The club was re-established post 1945 and T.J. Byrne was at the helm. Carlow Rovers rented a playing field from Colonel Bruen at Oakpark. The Club had a boys and a senior team. Governeys' Boot Factory employees also formed a soccer team and played matches against teams from other factories. Carlow Rovers disbanded in the early 1950's.

Source: http://www.askaboutireland.ie/

Front row (l to r) - Luke Kelly, Johnny Moore, Jimma Rea, John Quinlan, Mickey Byrne, Andy Murphy, Willie Hosey, John Brennan, Matty Doyle, Pennie Wheelan (capt.)

Back row (l to r) - Ted Joyce, Jim Archibald, Paddy Farrell, Paddy Sullivan, Jim Morris, Seamus Corcoran, Brian O'Rourke, John Doyle, Mick Hughes, Chris Maher, Johnny Lawlor, Johnny Darcy, John Brady

A new juvenile force announced their arrival on the Carlow GAA scene in 1963 when Clonegal won the U-14 Football and Hurling double, competitions heretofore mainly the preserve of the county's three main towns, Carlow Town, Bagenalstown and Tullow.

Tiny Clonegal enjoyed breakthrough victories in 1963 - this week's Classic Photo is of that years talented football team - and they sparked off an amazing decade for the Wexford border boys.

Coached by astute Parkbridge schoolteacher Ben Mulhall, himself a renowned dual player with Tullow, Clonegal, inspired by their enthusiastic mentor, embarked on an amazing winning streak as the following roll of honour testifies

 

1963 U14 FC/U14 HC

1964U14FC

1965 U14 FC

1966 U14 HC

1967 U14 HC 1968U14FC/U14HC

Yes six years in a row of sizzling success, a football three-in-a-row, a hurling three-in-a-row, the stunning sequence book-ended by the dazzling doubles of '63 and '68.

- Leo McGough

The Nationalist

Friday July 6. 2007

www.carlow-nationalist.ie

 

Copies of Classic Photographs can be obtained from Leo McGough

Phone: 086 4017729

or Email: ieomcgough@eircom.net

Click on images to enlarge.

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Source: CARLOW Now and Then Winter 1997/98 Vol. 1 - No. 3 & CARLOW Now and Then Winter 1998 Vol. 1 - No. 4

[ Source:  http://leinstergaa.ie/ ] [ Source: http://www.askaboutireland.ie/ ]

O’Hanrahans Football Team

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